Panthers wrestle Western Slope

Ryan Daves wrestles Dallas Rohrig, of Rifle, Saturday at Rifle High School. Daves won the 138-pound match by a 9-4 decision for Montezuma-Cortez. The Panthers lost the dual, 42-28.

As a wrestling team, there isn't much of a roster for Montezuma-Cortez High School.

The Panthers that do hit the mats, wrestle pretty well for coach Eric Smith.

An undermanned M-CHS squad went 0-5 in duals last Friday and Saturday. But Ryan Daves, Seager Oliver, Trenton Gustafson and Levi Gross all posted 5-0 records last week.

Daves did what he does at 138 pounds - win. The senior upped his season record to 22-0, preserving his No. 1 4A ranking.

However, the most pleasant surprise came from Gross at 120 pounds. The sophomore dropped down from 126s and had two days of great wrestling. Gross recorded two pins, a major decision and two wins by forfeit.

Oliver continues to wrestle strong in his sophomore season. He competed at 160 pounds and recorded four pins.

Gustafson was the only Panther to pin his way to a 5-0 mark last week. The 182-pounder is indeed wrestling with a chip on his shoulder his senior year.

Celestino Fernandez and Justice Ramos picked up two wins apiece at 106 and 145, respectively.

M-CHS will be in Ignacio on Saturday morning for the Butch Melton Invitational beginning at 8.